Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 113, Joshua Giffins, New Jersey

SERVICE
New Jersey
Giffins Joshua Margaret
NUMBER
W.113
CONTENTS
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New Jersey Roll.
14401 Joshua Giffins, Private.
New Jersey line '75 - 7 regts In the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War.
Inscribed on the Roll of New Jersey at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 24 th of March 1818.
Certificate of Pension issued the 30 th of June 1818, and sent to the Pensioner at Phil a
Arrears to 4th of Sept. 1818.
5 months 8/31 4/30! $ 43.12
{ Revolutionary claim, Act 18th March, 1818. }
Sent on the 11 th Mar. 1819 to the Pensioner at Woodbury Gloucester Co. Town unknown Gloucester Co.
Let to Margaret Giffins, Aug 28. 1837 same Nov 1. 1838
Notification sent the B. Navy 1020, 76 James Mathew, Esq. Woodbury N. Jersey

New Jersey 1537
Margaret Giffines widow of Joshua Giffines, deceased.
who was a pensioner under the Act of 18 March 1818 and who died on the 5 th of May, 1832. of Gloucester co. in the State of N. Jersey, who was a private in the _____ commanded by Captain _____ of the Regt _____ commanded by Col. Austin in the N. Jersey line for 2 years private.
Entered on the Roll of New Jersey at the rate of 80 Dollars _____ Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1832.
Certificate of Pension issued the 7 th day of Janu- ary, 1839, and sent to Hon. C. C. Stratton, H. Reps.
Arrears to the 14th of Sept. 1838 $200.00 Semi-annual allowance ending 4.11.39 40.00
$240.00
{ Act July 7, } 1838. }
Recorded by S. A. Elliott Clerk Book 8, Vol. 2 Page 124.

Gifford, Joshua NJ W 113

[Faint, illegible handwriting or bleed-through from the reverse side of the page]

Sir
Camden N Jersey Aug 17 th 1837
Looking over the news-papers I find that there was a law past in March last concerning the revolutionary widows, pensions and likewise all of the children that were under age my husband died May the 5 th 1822 leaving me three sons under age the eldest was born the 19 th of Novm 1801 Second born the 1 st May 1804 third — — the 5 th Novm 1806
Joshua Githens my husband served from the first to the last of the revolutionary war in the Jersey troops.
He drew his pension from the time that the law was past untill his death
I am now in the 74 year and have no other support except that of my children and I should be very much obliged to you if you will intercede for me and if this is not right please to write to me how to proceed
Yours Respectfully Margaret H Githens

1537
3660
1537  3660
Margaret Giffens-
Admitted Private 2 years
Hm. C.C. Stratton WR

said court in the matter of the application of Margaret Giffens for a pension
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this seventeenth day of December A D eighteen hundred and thirty eight
Henry Bradshaw

State of New Jersey Gloucester County ss.
On this seventeenth day of December A.D. 1838 before me the subscriber one of the judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of the County of Gloucester, personally appeared John Clement Esquire of the said County aged Sixty nine — years and upwards, and whom I certify to be a person of credibility, who being duly affirmed according to law upon his solemn affirmation saith that he was well acquainted with Joshua Giffens in his life time that he was acquainted with him prior to the time of his marriage with Margaret Giffens now his widow, and that he has been acquainted with the said Margaret Giffens since about the period of her marriage with the said Joshua, that they lived in the same neighbourhood with this affiant, that the said Joshua Giffens died several years ago he believes as long ago as the year 1822, and that the said Margaret Giffens survived him, and is now living, and that she has not been married to any other person as far as this affiant knows and believes, but remains the widow of the said Joshua Giffens, and this affiant further saith, that he
Cannot

Cannot speak with certainty as to the time of the marriage of the said Joshua Giffens and his wife Margaret but he knows that they were mar- ried several years before he this affirmant was married, and that he was married in the year 1793 subscribed and affirmed the date above before me John Clement SAMUEL HORN
State of New Jersey Henry Bradshaw Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Gloucester in the state aforesaid, do hereby certify that James W. Sloan Esquire before whom the foregoing affidavit of John Clement Esq. was made, was at the doing thereof one of the judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of the said County, duly commissioned and qualified, and that the signature of the said James W. Sloan Esquire subscribed to the said affidavit is his genuine signature.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this seventeenth day of December A.D. 1838.
Henry Bradshaw

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7th July 1838 entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows"
State of New Jersey Gloucester County ss.
On this seventeenth — day of December in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight, personally appeared before the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Gloucester in the State of New Jersey Margaret Giffens a resident of the township of Newton in the County of Gloucester aforesaid aged seventy five years and upwards, who being duly affirmed according to law, she alleging herself to be conscientiously scrupulous of taking an oath) doth on her affirmation make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed July 7. 1838 entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows". That she is the widow of Joshua Giffens who was a private in the Revolutionary Army.
That the first tour of duty performed by her said husband in the Revolutionary War, was in the five months Service

service in a company commanded by captain Joseph Mattack in Col. Israel Hillman's regiment, the service commenced in June 1776 and ended in December of that year, the company marched from Gloucester County through the State of New Jersey to Long Island in the State of New York, and remained in the service at least five months.
Shortly after the expiration of the above mentioned service, and as she believes in the winter of 1776-7. her said husband enlisted in the Revolutionary Army and served as a private from that time until after the surrender of Cornwallis in 1781, during which time he served in companies com- manded respectively by Capt. Alexan- der Mitchell, Capt. James Holmes and Capt. Weymond and in Regiments commanded by Col. Israel Shreve Col. Jn o Mumming, Col. Ephraim Martin and Col. Barker.
That her said husband lived at Haddonfield in the County of Glou- cester and State of New Jersey when he entered the service of the United States and the length of time that he served during the War, was not less than five years, during all which

which time he served as a private. He was in the battles at Trenton, Princeton, Brandywine, Germantown, Monmouth and at the siege of taking of Cornwallis at York Town, in the year 1781.
And the said Margaret Giffens further states declares that the statement which she has just made in relation to the services of her said husband, is not made from any knowledge of her own, but from information derived from her said husband whilst living and others and which she believes to be correct and that according to the best of her knowledge and belief it is correct.
She further declares that she was married to the said Joshua Giffens on the thirty first day of March in the year seventeen hundred and eighty five (as will appear by her marriage Certificate hereto annexed) and that her husband the aforesaid Joshua Giffens, died on the fifth day of May in the year eighteen hundred and twenty two, that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first day of January seventeen hundred and ninety four, to wit: at the period above stated.
✓
She

She further declares that she has no documentary evidence in support of her claim in her own possession but she has been shown a paper which purports to have been filed in the Clerk's office of the County of Gloucester on the 10 July 1870 in which it is stated that upon a declaration made (by her said husband) the 24 th day of March 1818 he obtained a pension certificate number 1400. She further states that her said husband did receive a pension for several years prior to his death,
Affirmed to me Subscribed on the day and year above written in open Court before
Margaret his Giffens mark
John Clement
State of New Jersey
I Henry Braasch clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Gloucester in the state aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the Original proceedings of the

District of New Jersey, ss.
On this Third day of July , 1820, personally appeared in open court, before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas, of the county of Gloucester , in the state of New Jersey, being a court of record, proceeding according to the course of the Common Law—having jurisdiction unlimited in point of amount, and keeping records of its proceedings. Joshua Giffens
aged Sixty seven years, resident in Waterford Township in said County, who, being first duly Sworn according to law, doth, on his oath declare that he served in the Revolutionary War as follows: in the Companies commanded by Captain's Alexander Mitchel and Captain James Holmes in the fourth Regiment, commanded by Colonel Ephraim Martin in the New Jersey line — Upon a declaration made the 24 th day of March 1818 I obtained a Pension Certificate numbered 1401 .
10 2 7.60 2 5.75 2 2.50 1.50 2.00 24.97 3 28.10 $ 42.42
And I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March, 1818; and that I have not since that time, by gift, sale, or in any other manner, disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it, as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress, entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War," passed on the 18th day of March, 1818; and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property or securities, contracts, or debts due to me; nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed. viz One cow & calf $10.00 two hogs $2.00 Iron
Ware $7.60—3 tables $2.00 case of drawers 10 chairs 1 Bureau $5.75—6 silver spoons $2.00, a settee empty Barrels lye tubs Bucket and tub $2.50—4 baskets, 1 do. brough $1.50 one old wagon $3.00—20 3/4 Cord wood $24.97—1 sled, one spinning wheel one bible $3.00—debts due to me $28.10 I am indebted to, and declared on the Sundry persons $145.62 I have no other Estate I am by occupation a before labourer aged 67 years and afflicted with the dropsy which disables me from labour—My family consists of my Wife Margaret aged 57 years and one child George aged 12 years my wife is a weakly Woman and unable to contribute to my or her support Sworn to and subscribed this third day of July AD 1820 John Clement Pres t of Court  Joshua Giffens
I, Thomas Hendry Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the county of Gloucester in the state of New Jersey, do hereby certify that the foregoing Oath and the schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the record of the said court: and I do further certify, that it is the opinion of the said court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule, is ninety two dollars and forty two cents. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the Court, on this Tenth day of July , 1820 Hendry Clerk

Joshua Giffens Copy
1401 Sept. 10/10
Continue
The Court are of the Opinion that the Total amount in value of the property exhibited in the within Schedule is Ninety two Dollars and fifty two cents By the Court
$92.52
John Clement Charles Ogden Joseph Rogers

Joshua Giffen
Application
Correct

To the Honourable J. C. Calhoun Secretary of the War department — Pension Office State of New Jersey Gloucester County Js
On application to Obtain a pension for Services rendered the United States
Be it known, That before me James Maitland one of the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for the said County of Gloucester personally appeared Joshua Giffins who being conscientiously scrupulous of taking an Oath Was duly affirmed according to Law, and did declare and Say that he was Sixty six years old on the 26 th day of January last that he was born in the County and State aforesaid, and that from his reduced circumstances he needs the assistance of his country for Support, That he served in the War of the Revolution on the Continental establishment Seven Years, That he was enlisted in the Service of the United States by Captain Alexander Mitchell and served in the second Regiment and fourth Regiments New Jersey line commanded by Colonels Shreeve & Martin — This affiant further Saith that he was discharged from the Army agreeable to the annexed discharge, — and that he entered the service about the year Seventeen hundred and seventy seven
Affirmed & subscribed the 28 th day of March AD Eighteen hundred and Eighteen Before me James Maitland
Joshua Giffens

In Testimony that the within States facts are true I do hereby certify that it appears to my satisfaction that the said Joshua Giffens served in the War of the revolution as within States against the Common Enemy
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 24 th day of March A.D. Eighteen hundred and eighteen James Maitland
State of New Jersey,
I Thomas Hendry Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in & for the County of Gloucester do certify that James Maitland Esq. is in Commission at this time as one of the Judges of the Inferior Courts of Common Pleas in & for said County. Witness my hand and seal of Office at Woodbury this seventeenth day of April A.D. Eighteen hundred & Eighteen Hendry Clerk

113
WIDOW, &c.
Rev.
File No.
113
Margaret Giffins
Widow
Joshua Giffins
Rev. Rev. War.
Act:
July 7, 1838.
Index:—Vol. A , Page 285
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Gaffins, Josiah NJ W113
By His Excellency GEORGE WASHINGTON, Esq., General and Commander in Chief of the Forces of the United States of America.
THESE are to CERTIFY that the Bearer hereof Joshua Goff in the 1st Regiment, having faithful- ly served the United States Four Years and being inlisted for the War only, is hereby DISCHARGED from the American Army.
GIVEN under His HANDS the fifth
By His Excellency Command,
Thunbull
George Washington
REGISTERED in the Books of the Regiment,
James Whipple Adjutant.
Richd. Cox Major Com'd

HEAD-QUARTERS, June 1783.
THE within CERTIFICATE shall not avail the Bearer as a Discharge, until the Ratification of the definitive Treaty of Peace: previous to which Time, and until Proclamation thereof shall be made, He is to be considered as being on Parole.
GEORGE WASHINGTON.

Camden October 29 th 1838
Respected Sir
In reply to yours of the 27 th August 1837 relative to a Pension which is Due Mrs Margaret Giffins for services rendered in the Revolutionary war by her Husband Mr Joshua Giffins. He served during the war for better than eight years in the New Jersey Line. Was in Monmouth Battle the Commanding General Was Sullivan. was under Colonel Shreve & Colonel Barber & Cummins at Different times & Major Ross & Major Hollingshead was in Brandy Wine Battle. Germantown Battle & in the Last Battle was the taking of Cornwallis & Died in the year of our Lord 1822. on the 3 rd of May. The Certificate of Marriage I have & will send you a copy & if you wish I can send the Certificate to wit
These are to Certify that Joshua Giffins & Margaret Goodler both of Gloucester County the State of N. Jersey were joined together in Marriage this thirty 31 st  first Day of March 1783 the in the Ninth year of the United States of North America by me Rev George Duffield D.D. I believe the above to be a true copy from the original Certificate Samuel Scudder

He was Sick nearly four years & for three years was under the care of two Doctors Drs Boman Henry & Dr John C. Warner The Complaint Was Universal Dropsy & Died in his Native County that is Gloucester There can be no mistake in the above. The young Child was fourteen years old when his father Died & you will Conferr a great favor by send- me an answer or reception of this & likewise wish you to send me a rule to go by for I assure you that I am greatly in want & think that a Pension is justly Due me for My Husband I recd it in his lifetime.
Very Respectfully Yours
S. Smith for Mrs Margaret Gaffins
Mr J. L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington City D. C.
P.S. Please Direct your Letter to Camden N. Jersey.

J L Edwards Esq.
Commission of Pensions
Be so good as to examine the enclosed application for a Pension as soon as convenient -
Very respectfully &c
Charles Stratton
Washington Dec. 24. '38